Ann Taylor (NYSE: ANN) opened its first store in New Haven in the mid 1940s and was named after a dress selling at the founders’ father’s store.  Ann Taylor was, therefore, not a real person.  Over the past sixty years, Ann Taylor’s philosophy has changed little.  It was, and still is, known for classically styled clothing for the modern woman.

Ann Taylor has two main stores.  The main Ann Taylor store, competitor with Banana Republic, sells clothes at the $70-$200 (US) price point, while Ann Taylor Loft sells at more moderate prices.  Ann Taylor Loft is also slightly younger, aiming at recent university graduates with a smaller budget.  Both stores sell a good selection of business and weekend wear and both are known for their selection in sizing, catering to petite (5’4″ or shorter) as well as regular-heighted women.  As a matter of fact, Ann Taylor is one of a few companies which sell petite clothing that appeals to women under 40.  Ann Taylor Loft also carries maternity wear.

Like its competition, Ann Taylor launched a higher-end line called Ann Taylor Collections in 2007.  This line was more luxurious than the regular line and was the company’s entree to the “affordable lux” market.  Unlike its competition, Ann Taylor sold its line online-only.  However, Ann Taylor Collections has, for some reason, disappeared from its website.

Perhaps the one disappointing thing about Ann Taylor is its lack of presence outside of the United States.  Banana Republic has expanded beyond North America, with stores in the UK and in parts of Asia.  While J.Crew has no international brick and mortar stores, catalogue and online orders deliver to Canada and to Japan.  Ann Taylor has neither.  And considering that it announced that a certain number of stores would close this year, it is unlikely they are going to expand internationally any time soon.

On Tuesday, December 2, Ann Taylor opened at 3.99 and closed at 4.25.  Its 52-week high and low were 32.48 and 3.74

DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this column is not to give financial advice or analysis, but to highlight how these companies affect our every day lives.